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Chapter 23: Misplaced Loyalties and Betrayal

Song of the Chapter:
Falling Away From Me – Korn
Reason: Once there was a Sand Kunoichi and a traveling Jashinist. They found love together. He died for her. She mourned him. He reappeared and helped her unbeknownst. She moved on and he carried out a master plan that could destroy them both.


Sumiko wondered if it was normal to feel as if she had been punched in the gut after what they had just done. For all she knew, everyone there was dead that she really held much prior attachment to. Deidara did not ask why while flying, she held his hand and for that, Sumiko was eternally grateful. Sasori remained silent also and although it was a comfortable silence, that was something that the three of them rarely experienced together and Deidara sighed heavily. "So… now what, un?"

Sumiko looked towards Sasori who nodded. "Well… Hidan and Kakuzu need to get the two tailed beast now and when the time is right, we have to seal it." She nodded and looked at her brother. "Sumiko you realize that now there is no way to back out."

She smiled and punched her brother lightly on the shoulder. "What made you think I would back out? I have far too many reasons to stay now and I have done enough that I am never to be welcomed back." Deidara squeezed her hand and she smiled. She leaned towards him and gave him a small peck on the cheek. The blond grinned and put an arm around Sumiko as they continued their flight.


Mamoru sighed as he walked away from the Sand Village. "Fuck… failed to get Shukaku so now I have to haul my ass all the way to the Lightning County…" It was relatively easy to escape from a city fully flung into a panicked state. Even Baki was preoccupied with going after their precious Kazekage to worry about the treasonous Jashinist. He grabbed his rosary and began to pray to Jashin for luck in going against the Two Tailed cat demon.

He ignored the small stab in his heart that told him that he was going against Sumiko or his own brother and continued his prayer.


Gaara smiled seeing all the villagers around him but seeing old lady Chiyo unconscious he immediately knew what happened. He turned to look at the Leaf Shinobi and his eyes narrowed. "What happened?"

Sakura bit her lip as she answered. "The one called Sumiko stopped a fight from breaking out when she handed over your body but another fight was about to break out when the three Akatsuki members left so the blond one left a bomb. Chiyo-sama used her chakra strings to fling the bomb to another portion of the cavern. Kakashi-sensei used his Sharingan to send the bomb somewhere else and then afterwards, Chiyo-sama used a jutsu to bring you to life." Gaara nodded as he looked at the rest of his rescue party.

"Sumiko… how did she look during the fight? Were there any emotions or hesitation because during my capture at the Sand Village, when she was with that blond, there was none?" Sakura looked at Kakashi who looked at the Kazekage.

"She wanted the blond to be more respectful of your body and not use it as a stool and she gave you to us without conflict, but other than that," his eyes narrowed, "she is a silent coldhearted killer now." Gaara gave a small smile before walking towards his villagers.

"No… she always was. She just kept up the façade of what was expected of the second in command."


"Hey Sasori?" The redhead turned to his twin. "I am a little hungry. Is there some ice cream around here?" Deidara's stomach growled as if on cue and the puppeteer glared at both of them.

"Great, now the brat is hungry too..." The three of them laughed as Deidara steered the bird slightly off course.

"Since we are in the Earth Country now, I know where a really good ice cream place is in some small village around here, un." Sumiko laughed as she put her arms around the blond's waist. She buried her face into his arm contently. Sasori sighed and let out a small smile.

"Alright but they better have pistachio." Sumiko smiled as and when Sasori looked at her, she became serious. "I just realized something; remember that silver haired ninja that helped to attempt to rescue Gaara?" She nodded as an evil smirk came across her face.

"Sakumo Hatake's son Kakashi Hatake. Son of the man who killed our parents." She reached into her Akatsuki robes and pulled a picture out. Deidara raised an eyebrow.

"How did I not notice you had that in your robes, un?" Sasori gave him a dirty look as he looked over the picture of their parents. "You two seeking revenge, un?"

The matching smirks on their faces confused Deidara. "Do not need to," Sumiko answered. "He will get his own fate handed to him." Sasori nodded and added his own opinion.

"He is not worth our time anyway."


Kakashi turned away and jerked his mask down as he sneezed. The others looked at him odd as they were in the middle of Chiyo's funeral and he apologized. Gaara bowed and as he left, the Leaf shinobi approached him. Naruto put a hand on Gaara's shoulder. "Chances are, we will be seeing them again and next time, we'll beat them!" Gaara smiled.

"Kazekage-sama, we will update you on any status we get about the Akatsuki and their pursuit of Tailed Beasts." Gaara nodded at Kakashi and the Leaf ninja began their series of goodbyes.